Information Technology Section
The IT Section coordinates purchases of computer hardware and software
systems for the entire police force, in an effort to ensure the best and
most cost-effective IT solutions are fielded for all police department
personnel. The IT Section acts as the liaison between the Police Department
and City of Mesa Information Technology Division (ITD) and other city,
county, state and national information database systems, such as LEJIS,
ACJIS and NCIC. The IT Section is the prime focal point for all of the
department's computer resources, including networking infrastructure,
computer security issues and all personal computer resources.
The IT Section Security Supervisor is designated as the
System Security Officer (SSO). The IT Section's Administrator is
designated as the Assistant System Security Officer.
Additionally, the technical Local Agency Security Officer's
(LASO) duties are assigned to one of our senior network
analysts, whose duties include addressing networking security
and technical issues. These individuals have the responsibility
to ensure that the police department's network and personnel are
in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations,
policies and procedures governing all the manual and automated
information systems used within the police department.
The Mesa Police Department prides itself on providing proven
cutting edge law enforcement information technology (IT). For
instance, the Panasonic CF-28/29 laptop computers being used by
our Patrol Officers are but one example. These ruggedized
laptops are specially designed to endure the rigors of the
patrol environment, and yet provide officers with a valuable
tool to serve and protect the public.
In addition to allowing
our officers to write their police reports while in the field,
the laptops are also utilized as Mobile Computer Terminals
(MCTs) in the patrol cars. The laptops fit into a special mount
in the cars that connect them to our Computer Aided Dispatching
(CAD) system. The officers are able to receive service call
assignments directly from the CAD system, view a map with
streets and the locations of all Police and Fire vehicles as
well as communicate with dispatchers and other MCTs in real
time. Officers are also able to run vehicle checks from within
their vehicle, validating current registration and license plate
information and run the name of the subject to ascertain if a
person has any outstanding warrants.
The CAD system (I/CAD
from IPS, Inc.) constantly updates maps of Mesa on the Dispatch
and CallTaker consoles that display the actual location of any
Police or Fire vehicles within the City. This is accomplished
through satellite GPS technology and Automated Vehicle Location
(AVL) systems. Our Police helicopters have the same systems
installed, which further enhances the city's response
capabilities. When emergency calls are received, dispatchers are
able to tell which officer or fire unit is closest to respond
and can direct that unit to respond, again drastically improving
our call response time. This technology allows us to maintain
peak efficiency while providing the safest environment possible
for our community.
The IT Section is a component of the Technical Services
Division and supports the Department's staff of over 800 sworn
and 500 civilian personnel. We are committed to using the finest
computer technology available to us, so that we can continually
improve the police department's public safety operations
allowing us to take an active role in assisting in the reduction
of crime.
Mesa Police Department
Information Technology
PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211
480-644-4330